Quid pro quo: Difference between revisions
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Merriam-Webster, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition), and the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Third Edition) all define the Latin expression "quid pro quo" to mean "something for something." Its definition is cited as an equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. |
Merriam-Webster, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition), and the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Third Edition) all define the Latin expression "quid pro quo" to mean "something for something." Its definition is cited as an equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. |
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This phrase was used famously by [[Hannibal Lecter]] ([[Anthony Hopkins]]) in the popular 1991 movie, ''[[The Silence of the Lambs]]''. It was also used in ''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'' by [[Dr. Evil]] ([[Mike Myers]]), in a parody reference to ''Lambs'', to which Austin Powers (actor Mike Myers) responds, "Yes. Squid pro row." This phrase is also used in ''[[Veronica Mars]]'' by Aaron Echolls, and sung by [[Lion King | Scar]] in "Be prepared" (the song he sings to the pack of [[Hyenas]]). It was also used in reference to |
This phrase was used famously by [[Hannibal Lecter]] ([[Anthony Hopkins]]) in the popular 1991 movie, ''[[The Silence of the Lambs]]''. It was also used in ''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'' by [[Dr. Evil]] ([[Mike Myers]]), in a parody reference to ''Lambs'', to which Austin Powers (actor Mike Myers) responds, "Yes. Squid pro row." This phrase is also used in ''[[Veronica Mars]]'' by Aaron Echolls, and sung by [[Lion King | Scar]] in "Be prepared" (the song he sings to the pack of [[Hyenas]]). It was also used in reference to Bill Clinton's universal denounced pardon of Marc Rich. Through Marc Rich's ex-wife Rich contributed $450,000 to the Clinton Presidential Library Foundation in addition to money donated to the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 15:15, 21 August 2006
Quid pro quo (Latin for "something for something", many times understood by English speakers as "what for what" or "tit for tat") is used to mean, in the English speaking world, a favour for a favour (in other linguistic contexts, such as Portuguese and French, it means a misunderstanding, a confusion - to take the this for a that and quid pro quo is quoted as do ut des, Latin for "I give, so that you give"). Quid pro quo is a legal term for the transaction of valued items or favours, in return for giving something of value. Quid pro quo is generally used when the balance of equity and the quid pro quo are excessively "in question". For a contract to be binding, it usually must involve consideration, that is, the exchange of something of quantifiable value for something of relatively equal value. When somebody appears to get something for nothing, the quid pro quo agreement is suspicious and should be questioned. However, quid pro quo is widely used in the context of describing political favours, as given in apparent exchange for money. It is also widely known as a legally recognized type of sexual harassment in some countries; in the US, a quid pro quo may be a "deal one could not refuse", that is, a favour which, if refused, would provoke dire consequences. In such case the quid pro quo is a blackmail. For democratic public officials with special powers of government, favours given in quid pro quo constitute a breach of the public trust and a dishonest circumvention of the democratic process for special interests. In the context of political favours, quid pro quo, being secretive, may find widely varied avenues for how such transactions (believed quid pro quo) might take place. Among these are straight favours for cash transactions, political campaign contributions, third-party campaigns and related assistance, and favours for favours (quite common in government). The last, favours for favours, refers to officials of different capacities, each in league with special interests (similar or otherwise) exchanging favours based on an estimated equality of their value.
Merriam-Webster, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition), and the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Third Edition) all define the Latin expression "quid pro quo" to mean "something for something." Its definition is cited as an equal exchange or substitution of goods or services.
This phrase was used famously by Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in the popular 1991 movie, The Silence of the Lambs. It was also used in Austin Powers in Goldmember by Dr. Evil (Mike Myers), in a parody reference to Lambs, to which Austin Powers (actor Mike Myers) responds, "Yes. Squid pro row." This phrase is also used in Veronica Mars by Aaron Echolls, and sung by Scar in "Be prepared" (the song he sings to the pack of Hyenas). It was also used in reference to Bill Clinton's universal denounced pardon of Marc Rich. Through Marc Rich's ex-wife Rich contributed $450,000 to the Clinton Presidential Library Foundation in addition to money donated to the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign.